The purpose of the day was to showcase their projects to the organisations that had originally set them.
The module, which has been running since last September, is a brand-new addition delivered through both Welsh and English. Its aim is to help students develop employability and transferable skills early in their studies.
It is based on a Project-Based Learning approach, where students work in groups over an extended period to develop a real-world product. This allows them to build not only subject knowledge but also key skills such as creativity, critical thinking, and communication.
At the start of the module, five local organisations and university departments presented project ideas focused on children and young people. These included MSparc, Y Pethau Bychain, the Civic Engagement Department (which set a brief to create activities for the University’s stand at the Urdd National Eisteddfod), CELS, and YEMindset. Students then chose the projects that interested them most.
This year’s projects included:
- Designing activities for children at the University’s Urdd Eisteddfod stand
- Evaluating CELS sessions delivered in schools
- Creating a wellbeing garden in a local school with Y Pethau Bychain
- Developing and promoting after-school sessions at MSparc Gaerwen
The presentations formed part of the students’ final assessment, alongside a reflective assignment where they considered their teamwork, personal development, and engagement with real-world projects.
Throughout the module, students worked closely with partner organisations and gained valuable experience in collaboration. They also developed marketing and communication skills, including creating social media reels with support from Cynan Anwyl in the Communications Department.
As this is the first year the module has been offered in the School of Education, feedback from both students and external partners has been extremely valuable in shaping how it will develop in the future.
Alaw, one of the students, said: “I learned a lot about working with others through this project. It was really rewarding to see our work being used in a real-life setting, rather than just in lectures.”
Module lecturer Rhian Tomos added: “This marks the first step in our students’ journey towards developing their employability, and it’s been encouraging to see that many have already been offered opportunities to continue working with partner organisations in the future.”